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"..and when he is old,he will not depart from it." [message #1888]

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00

james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL

Senior Member

I want to open a dialogue concerning observations I have made throughout my christian walk, and especially now in this present time, as to the way so many children of "the faith message" have turned out. And first let me say that I have no children, so this is observation not experience speaking, yet very close observation. I use the scripture Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is OLD, he will NOT depart from it." I'm sure all parents who love God and want to obey Him and want their children to "turn out well" claim this verse and repeat it to themselves more than once as they watch the developement of their children through the years.

I have read the postings here and on facnet from quite a few "FA Kids" who are now grown up(at least physically), and are walking on the "wild side, so to speak" or to be more specific, their hearts have departed from THE LIVING GOD. I also have witnessed first hand the lives of ministers children who have turned out(to this point anyway)to be as ungodly as people can get. And almost, with very few exceptions, they all are bitter, angry at God, and blame HEF and FA. Now I am aware that there were some head cases raising children, and I believe that some were subject to abuse and unstable parents. That being said, I believe that God's Word is true always, everytime, forever. So are we to just be patient and longsuffering with them? You know, kinda like God was with those of us who might have put our parents through the same things or worse? I know I departed a long way from the teachings of Jesus that my mother pounded into me as a child, yet at God's appointed time I repented and turned to Him, by His grace. I know kids who are no longer kids, whose lives and actions break my heart, and all I know to do is live my life as an example of Christ before them, speak the truth in love,and pray that the admonition given in Proverbs will come to fruition in their lives. So I'm thinking that the key is 1. "If" they were trained in the WAY they should go. 2. And letting God decide when is "OLD".

I guess reading all the postings of these young people and seeing their rebellion, pain, anger, disrespect, bitterness, caused me to reflect on God's promises as to a solution or a way to reach them. I know that bashing them over the head with The Word or debating scripture with them is only going to make their backs bow up more. So how's about those of us that are "more spiritually mature" start showing it by joining in with their parents and claiming this bibical principle for their lives.

[Updated on: Mon, 16 March 2009 19:52]

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”

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